converter experience with 100-400mm lens?

[johnhunt1933]

Would be interested in receiving comments about using canon converters with 100-400mm.
A x 2.0 sounds attractive, but what results and limitations? Thought I read sometime ago that x 1.4 reduces vignetting and produces the best results. However, the proof of a pudding is in the eating and hence the questions.
Advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Should mention am using 40D.

[hollis_f]

Tried a 1.4x and found that, even with taped pins, autofocus was totally crap. Almost as bad as my attemps at manually focussing with such a dark image in the viewfinder. Never bothered putting a 2x on it, but I would imagine it's near unusable (although I'm sure somebody will come up with some amazing shots taken with that combo).

[HokkaidoStu]

I have the Kenko 1.4. It is usable in good light. Sometimes. The IS goes a bit jumpy and the AF is unpredictable but works most of the time in nice light........

I've only actually used it once with any degree of success. I plan to use it a lot more in the winter but mainly on a tripod and hopefully with a camera with liveview (which your camera has) so I can have more success with MF if the AF doesn't work.

I currently have the 400D which is an older lower spec model than the 40D with an older AF system. This allows me to use the centre AF point on the taped T/C which apparently you can't do with a 40D or 50D. I'll replace the 400D with a 50 or 60D next winter.

Here's a shot of a baby Ural Owl I took with the 100-400 and T/C, handheld and cropped slightly.

[Sandpiper]

I use a Sigma 1.4x and a Canon 2x TC with my 40D and 100-400 lens. Taping the pins does not work for me with either TC so I always use manual focus. It is possible, with good technique, to obtain decent images hand-holding either combination. However, for best results mount the lens on a sturdy tripod, switch off IS, use Live View and a remote release.

Bear in mind that with a 1.4x TC the maximum aperture will become f/8, reducing to f/11 with a 2x TC.

The attached image was taken hand-held and manually focused through a double-glazed window with my 40D/ 100-400/ 2x TC. I have included the original and cropped versions of the image.

[Jaff]

I finally got round to trying mine today (Canon 1.4) and got on with it reasonably well.

Unlike a kenko which I tried recently the IS was completely fine and the AF did hunt a fair bit before acquiring a lock but it did get there most of the time. Sometimes it hunted and never got a lock but the light was pretty naff.
So overall I was pleasently surprised as most people on the forum just p*ss on the idea completely when were talking about a 40D but I actually find it just the same as on my 20D. I think it almost depends on the individual camera and lens involved but that's pure speculation on my part.

Bottom line is, if you have any firends with one ask them if you can try it to see how you get on first, or if you buy one make sure whoever you get it from has a 7day moneyback guarantee or something. Make sure you go for the 1.4 though as the 2x is a bit much to ask of this lens in terms of light.

Cheers. B (:

[Keith Reeder]

Most people "p*ss on" the idea of a TC with the 100-400mm and 40D because for most people it simply doesn't work, Jaff.

I first raised this issue in Sept 2007 on DPR, and the vast majority of respondents to my original post confirned that their experiences matched mine - and when the likes of Romy Ocon agree with you, you know you're on the right track..!

;)

Odd folk have been luckier, but the general consensus is that the 40D (and 50D) don't play well with TCs and 400mm f/5.6 lenses.

My 40D is slightly better with the 1.4x Canon TC than it is with the 1.4x Kenko Pro DG 300, but it still sucks to the point of unusability: the same lens and either TC on my 30D is brilliant.

[Nikon Kid]

I took this one to-day, my first go with a 2x kenko TC on a 400 f5.6 acceptable

[JohnZ]

Would have been a nice pic had the bird not been obscured by branches ?

[paul goode]

I took this one to-day, my first go with a 2x kenko TC on a 400 f5.6 acceptable

Sorry Terry, but thats a totally irrelevant post.
The op asked about canon converters on a 100-400.

[Nikon Kid]

Sorry Terry, but thats a totally irrelevant post.
The op asked about canon converters on a 100-400.

John I asked him to move, then got some pics without the TC in my gallery.


Paul I was trying to save him money :-O

Keith, I think most all professional photographers don't use a TC because they have the money to buy the next
lens up for their needs but the like of us underlings can't afford it on a pension etc etc and its only a hobby

Wait for s**t to hit fan :eek!:

[postcardcv]

Paul I was trying to save him money :-O

Keith, I think most all professional photographers don't use a TC because they have the money to buy the next
lens up for their needs but the like of us underlings can't afford it on a pension etc etc and its only a hobby

in what way are you trying to save him money?

I think you'll find that a lot (probably the vast majority) of professional wildlife photographer will use tc's with their lenses, the difference is that they are using them with lenses that they are designed to work with.

I think that there is an obsession among UK bird photographers (including me) to get as close in as possible, max the focal lenght and get frame filling close ups. However using a shorter focal length and including some environment to give the shot context often makes for a more pleasing shot. I keep trying to go for these environmental shots but keep slipping back into old habits.

As a naked lens the 100-400 is outstanding, adding a tcs makes it harder to get consistently good results. Perhpas the trick is to adapt our photographic style to fit the gear we have rather than trying to adapt the gear to fit out style.

[RJL2005]

Perhpas the trick is to adapt our photographic style to fit the gear we have rather than trying to adapt the gear to fit out style.

Well said!

[Jaff]

Most people "p*ss on" the idea of a TC with the 100-400mm and 40D because for most people it simply doesn't work, Jaff.

I first raised this issue in Sept 2007 on DPR, and the vast majority of respondents to my original post confirned that their experiences matched mine - and when the likes of Romy Ocon agree with you, you know you're on the right track..!

;)

Odd folk have been luckier, but the general consensus is that the 40D (and 50D) don't play well with TCs and 400mm f/5.6 lenses.

My 40D is slightly better with the 1.4x Canon TC than it is with the 1.4x Kenko Pro DG 300, but it still sucks to the point of unusability: the same lens and either TC on my 30D is brilliant.

Guess I must be one of the lucky ones then. Makes a pleasent change! :-O

I'll get hold of my brother's 30D at the wkend and see what it's like though.

[AC/DC]

Keith, I think most all professional photographers don't use a TC because they have the money to buy the next
lens up for their needs but the like of us underlings can't afford it on a pension etc etc and its only a hobby

Wait for s**t to hit fan :eek!:

And because they have the skills/time/patience to get close to the birds?
I'm not sure pros are as rich as you make them out to be! They have top equipment, yes, but only so they have the best chances of making a fair wage out of their job.

As for the irrelevance of the 400 + 2X, I think most BF threads tend to go of to a tangent !

[Vectis Birder]

And because they have the skills/time/patience to get close to the birds?
I'm not sure pros are as rich as you make them out to be! They have top equipment, yes, but only so they have the best chances of making a fair wage out of their job.

As for the irrelevance of the 400 + 2X, I think most BF threads tend to go of to a tangent !

Quite. Any pro would have to have the best equipment possible. Also, I remember reading somewhere that some pros hire their big lenses instead of owning them outright.
Pros aren't generally any richer than the rest of us. They have a better job than most of us, but they're not monetarily richer. :-O

Sory to drag this even further off topic by the way. In a feeble attempt to bring it back, I am considering a t.c. but maybe I'd have better results with it on my 20D than my 40D judging by the posts above.

[Nikon Kid]

If you have time to compose the shot, with a TC, tripod,remote, Liveview, Pray, you can get acceptable shots, you are not going to win any competitions, but its a way round the problem of getting closer on occasions whilst out in a hide situation, so you can see the Liveview for MF

Have Fun

[Roy C]

If you have time to compose the shot, with a TC, tripod,remote, Liveview, Pray, you can get acceptable shots, you are not going to win any competitions, but its a way round the problem of getting closer on occasions whilst out in a hide situation, so you can see the Liveview for MF

Have Fun
I do a lot of shooting with a taped tc (for birds probably 75% of my shots) and for me live view is next to useless - if I have to manual focus I much prefer doing it through the viewfinder.

[Jaff]

This is all getting some what off topic now but unless he comes back online to post his response to the advice given I guess this thread will just carry on it's pointless way.

I hate it when people ask for advice and then never post a response of their decision to put a firm end to a thread. If you're reading this John please tell us what you've bought, if anything, and let that be the end of it.

Ahhh, it's good to let it all out now and again. ;)

[Nikon Kid]

I do a lot of shooting with a taped tc (for birds probably 75% of my shots) and for me live view is next to useless - if I have to manual focus I much prefer doing it through the viewfinder.

Its all about eyesight Roy, I have diabetes and suffer with not good eyes.
OK with glasses on, but I don't like using glasses when I am shooting in the viewfinder, I do use the glasses with Liveview...............

[Roy C]

This is all getting some what off topic now but unless he comes back online to post his response to the advice given I guess this thread will just carry on it's pointless way.


The OP was asking for converter experience with a 100-400 and my point that I do not find live view very useful when using a taped tc on a f5.6 lens is not that far off topic IMO.

[mrmarklin]

If you're talking quality, the 1.4 Canon TC is certainly acceptable. Plan on losing AF however.

I'm old enough to very clearly remember the pre AF days. It wasn't so bad! We were still able to take very acceptable photos!!!!! In fact, some of my favorites are from that era.

[Keith Reeder]

Keith, I think most all professional photographers don't use a TC because they have the money to buy the next lens up for their needs but the like of us underlings can't afford it on a pension etc etc and its only a hobby

Wait for s**t to hit fan :eek!:

No idea why any of that is directed at me...

[Keith Reeder]

If you're talking quality, the 1.4 Canon TC is certainly acceptable. Plan on losing AF however.

Or tape the pins.

It works (http://www.capture-the-moment.co.uk/tp/reports/north-norfolk-september-2007)...

[paul goode]

Hey Keith,
I've got to say that Mipit on your homepage is a cracking shot, and totally proves what Peter has been saying on other threads about trying to move away from frame filling headshots of birds :t:

Apologies for a totally off topic post!

[Nikon Kid]

No idea why any of that is directed at me...

Loosen up Keith, it was not directed to you per-say. it was to anyone that was going to reply to my sentence which they did not agree with, and they did.

I'll will go back to sleep.....:gn:

[johnhunt1933]

This is all getting some what off topic now but unless he comes back online to post his response to the advice given I guess this thread will just carry on it's pointless way.

I hate it when people ask for advice and then never post a response of their decision to put a firm end to a thread. If you're reading this John please tell us what you've bought, if anything, and let that be the end of it.

Ahhh, it's good to let it all out now and again. ;)

Thanks for all the comments, which will help in due course. Have now obtained the lens and will gain experience before embarking on a 1.4 TC.

Very pleased with the lens and look forward to many field trips with it at the expense of my 70-300mm, which could become redundant.

Good hunting !!